Tommy John surgery
noun
Tom·my John surgery
ˈtä-mē-ˈjän- 
plural Tommy John surgeries
: a surgical procedure in which a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is replaced with a tendon graft typically obtained from a superficial muscle of the forearm : ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction
Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the medical director for the Cincinnati Reds, specializes in an elbow-ligament reconstruction procedure commonly known as Tommy John surgery, named for the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who first underwent it, in 1974.—
Sara Corbett
Sara CorbettBut as an outfielder he hurt his throwing arm and had to have Tommy John surgery before the year was out.—Kelli Anderson
Kelli AndersonExamples of Tommy John surgery in a Sentence
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Phillips, who has been out for more than a year following Tommy John surgery, threw 23 pitches in his third session against hitters but first from a major league mound.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
The injury eventually required Tommy John surgery.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Martin began his major-league career at the beginning of the downfall of the Rick Hahn rebuild, then missed the 2023 season and most of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, making last year his first full season as a starter.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
That’s how long the 35-year-old Yankees ace had to wait before finally making his return from Tommy John surgery on Friday night in the Bronx.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
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Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
The injury eventually required Tommy John surgery.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Martin began his major-league career at the beginning of the downfall of the Rick Hahn rebuild, then missed the 2023 season and most of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, making last year his first full season as a starter.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
That’s how long the 35-year-old Yankees ace had to wait before finally making his return from Tommy John surgery on Friday night in the Bronx.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for Tommy John surgery
Cite this Entry
“Tommy John surgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tommy%20John%20surgery. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Tommy John surgery
noun
Tom·my John surgery
ˈtäm-ē-ˈjän-
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